Chapter 2

It is told that, having received a name, the Handsome Monkey King was delighted and leaped for joy. He faced Bodhi Patriarch, performed a formal obeisance, and expressed his thanks. The Patriarch then ordered the assembly to lead Sun Wukong outside the second gate, and taught him the rules of sweeping and cleaning, responding to others, advancing and retreating, and conducting himself in all social dealings. The assembled immortals carried out his command and went forth. Once outside, Wukong again bowed to all the senior brothers, and arranged a sleeping place for himself among the corridors and galleries. Early the next morning, he studied speech and etiquette with the senior brothers, discussed the scriptures and expounded the Dao, practiced writing, and burned incense. Every day was like this. In his spare time he swept the grounds and hoed the garden, tended flowers and cultivated trees, sought firewood and kindled fires, carried water and transported gruel. Everything that was needed was fully provided. Before he knew it, six or seven years had swiftly passed in the cave. One day, the Patriarch ascended the platform and sat high upon his seat, summoning all the immortals to expound the Great Dao. Truly: Heavenly flowers fell in profusion, golden lotuses sprang from the earth. He wondrously expounded the teachings of the Three Vehicles, and in subtle profundity encompassed all the myriad dharmas. He slowly waved his whisk, spraying pearls and jade; its sound shook like thunder and stirred the Nine Heavens. For one session he spoke of the Dao, for one session he lectured on Chan; the Three Schools combined, as was their original nature. He opened and clarified a single character, returning to the sincere principle; he pointed the way to the mystery of non-birth and the fulfillment of one’s nature. Sun Wukong listened from the side. He was so delighted that he scratched his ears and rubbed his cheeks, his brows blooming and his eyes smiling, and could not restrain himself from waving his hands and stamping his feet. Suddenly the Patriarch saw him and called out, “Sun Wukong, you are in the ranks—why are you dancing and leaping about so wildly instead of listening to my lecture?” Wukong said, “Disciple has been listening with a sincere heart. When I heard the marvelous sound of our teacher’s voice, I could not contain my joy, and thus unconsciously made this display of leaping. I beg Your Reverence to forgive my offense.” The Patriarch said, “Since you recognize marvelous sounds, let me ask you: how long have you been in the cave?” Wukong said, “This disciple is naturally dull and ignorant and does not know how much time has passed. I only remember that there was no fire beneath the stove, so I often went behind the mountain to gather firewood. There I saw a mountain covered with fine peach trees, and I have eaten my fill of peaches there seven times.” The Patriarch said, “That mountain is called Rotten Peach Mountain. Since you have eaten there seven times, it must have been seven years. What sort of Dao do you now wish to learn from me?” Wukong said, “I will rely entirely upon the instruction of the Venerable Teacher. So long as it has some Dao-like quality, this disciple will learn it.” The Patriarch said, “Within the gate of the character ‘Dao’ are three hundred and sixty collateral schools, and every collateral school has a right fruit. Which school do you wish to study?” Wukong said, “I will follow Your Reverence’s decision and listen wholeheartedly.” The Patriarch said, “What of the Dao within the school of the character ‘術’—techniques?” Wukong said, “What does the Dao of the school of ‘techniques’ entail?” The Patriarch said, “Within the school of techniques are inviting immortals, assisting the planchette, asking divinations, and manipulating the yarrow stalks; through them one may know the principles of pursuing good fortune and avoiding calamity.” Wukong said, “Can one attain long life through such things?” The Patriarch said, “No, no.” Wukong said, “Then I will not learn it. I will not learn it.” The Patriarch again said, “What of the Dao within the school of the character ‘流’—流?” Wukong again asked, “What principles are found in the school of ‘流’?” The Patriarch said, “Within the school of ‘流’ are the Confucian school, the Buddhist school, the Daoist school, the School of Yin-Yang, the Mohist school, and the medical school. One may read scriptures, recite the Buddha’s name, or perform rites to the Perfected and summon the sages, and the like.” Wukong said, “Can one attain long life through such things?” The Patriarch said, “To seek long life through them is like setting a pillar inside a wall.” Wukong said, “Master, I am an honest fellow and do not understand marketplace expressions. What is meant by ‘setting a pillar inside a wall’?” The Patriarch said, “When people build a house, wishing to make it firm, they set a single pillar between the walls. One day, when the great hall is about to collapse, that pillar will surely have rotted.” Wukong said, “According to this, it is not lasting either. I will not learn it. I will not learn it.” The Patriarch said, “What of the Dao within the school of the character ‘靜’—stillness?” Wukong said, “What right fruit is found in the school of ‘stillness’?” The Patriarch said, “This consists of abstaining from grain and guarding the vital essence, purity and nonaction, practicing Chan and sitting in meditation, restraining speech and observing vegetarian fasts, or cultivating sleeping practices, or standing practices, as well as entering samadhi, sitting in seclusion, and the like.” Wukong said, “Can such things also bring long life?” The Patriarch said, “They are like unfired clay beside a kiln.” Wukong laughed and said, “Master, you truly have some muddled expressions. First you said I did not understand marketplace speech. What is meant by ‘unfired clay beside a kiln’?” The Patriarch said, “It is like the clay blanks for bricks and tiles formed beside a kiln. Though they have already taken shape, they have not yet undergone the tempering of water and fire. Once heavy rain pours down, they will surely dissolve.” Wukong said, “That is not lasting either. I will not learn it. I will not learn it.” The Patriarch said, “What of the Dao within the school of the character ‘動’—movement?” Wukong said, “What, then, is the Dao of the school of ‘movement’?” The Patriarch said, “This consists of action and exertion: gathering Yin to supplement Yang, drawing bows and treading crossbows, rubbing the navel and passing qi, using formulas to prepare medicines, burning mugwort and striking the cauldron, ingesting red lead, refining autumn stone, and such practices as drinking women’s milk.” Wukong said, “Can one attain long life through such things?” The Patriarch said, “To seek long life through them is like fishing for the moon in water.” Wukong said, “Master, you have come to it again. What is meant by ‘fishing for the moon in water’?” The Patriarch said, “The moon is in the vast sky, and its reflection is in the water. Though it can be seen, there is nowhere to grasp it; in the end, it amounts only to emptiness.” Wukong said, “I will not learn it either. I will not learn it.” Hearing this, the Patriarch gave a sharp shout, leaped down from the high platform, took up his disciplinary ruler, and pointed at Wukong. “You monkey! You will not learn this, you will not learn that—what, then, will you learn?” He stepped forward and struck Wukong three times on the head. Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he walked inside, shut the middle gate, and left the assembly behind. The whole group listening to the lecture was terrified. They all blamed Wukong, saying, “You reckless monkey, you are utterly without propriety. The Master was transmitting Daoist methods to you—how could you refuse to learn, and instead talk back to him? You have offended him this time. Who knows when he will come out again!” At that moment they all resented him, despised him, and regarded him with loathing. Wukong was not angry in the least, but merely smiled ingratiatingly. It turned out that the Monkey King had already solved the riddle hidden in the Patriarch’s discourse. He kept it secretly in his heart, and therefore did not quarrel with the others, but endured in silence. The Patriarch’s three strikes on his head instructed him to preserve his mind at the hour of the third watch; his walking inside with his hands behind his back and shutting the middle gate instructed him to advance through the rear gate, where he would secretly transmit the Dao to him. That day Wukong and the others were all cheerful before the Cave of the Three Stars, watching for nightfall, impatient for evening to arrive. When dusk came, he went to bed with the others, pretending to close his eyes while regulating his breath and preserving his spirit. There were no watch drums or arrow-clocks in the mountains, so he did not know the hour, but merely regulated the breath entering and leaving his nostrils until it was settled. Around the time before and after the hour of the Rat, he quietly rose, put on his clothing, secretly opened the front gate, avoided the others, and went outside. Raising his head, he saw: The moon was bright, the clear dew cold; the Eight Extremities were vast and free of dust. In the deep trees secluded birds slept; at the source, the water streamed and murmured. Flying fireflies scattered their light and shadows; passing geese arranged characters across the clouds. It was precisely the hour of the third watch; he ought to seek the true Dao. He followed the old path to the rear gate and saw that the gate was half open and half closed. Wukong rejoiced and said, “The Teacher truly intended to transmit the Dao to me; that is why he has left the gate open.” He immediately drew near on tiptoe, turned sideways, and entered the gate. He went only as far as beneath the Patriarch’s sleeping couch, where he saw the Patriarch curled up and sleeping with his face turned inward. Wukong did not dare disturb him, and immediately knelt before the couch. Before long the Patriarch awoke, stretched out both legs, and murmured to himself: “Difficult! Difficult! Difficult! The Dao is most mysterious. Do not treat the Golden Elixir as an ordinary thing. Unless one meets the Perfected One who transmits the wondrous secret, empty words will only leave the mouth weary and the tongue dry!” Wukong called in response, “Master, this disciple has been kneeling here waiting for you for a long time.” Hearing that the voice was Wukong’s, the Patriarch rose, put on his robe, sat cross-legged, and shouted, “You monkey! Why are you not sleeping in front, but have come behind me? What are you doing here?” Wukong said, “Yesterday, before the altar, Master promised before everyone that at the hour of the third watch you would transmit your teachings to this disciple through the rear gate. Therefore I have boldly come directly to kneel beneath the Venerable Master’s couch.” Hearing this, the Patriarch was extremely pleased. He secretly thought, “This fellow truly was born of Heaven and Earth. Otherwise, how could he have solved the hidden riddle in my discourse?” Wukong said, “There are no Six Ears here; only this disciple is present. I beg Master to extend great compassion and transmit to me the Dao of long life. I shall never forget your kindness.” The Patriarch said, “You now have the affinity. I, too, am pleased to speak of it. Since you have recognized the hidden riddle, come closer and listen carefully. I shall transmit to you the wondrous Dao of long life.” Wukong knocked his head upon the ground and thanked him. He cleansed his ears, concentrated his mind, and knelt beneath the couch. The Patriarch said: The true wondrous secret, perfectly penetrating both manifest and hidden, has no other teaching than cherishing the cultivation of nature and life. All of it, in sum, is essence, qi, and spirit; carefully secure and firmly store them—do not let them leak away. Do not let them leak away; they are stored within the body. Having received my transmission, your Dao will naturally flourish. Remember the oral formula; it is of much benefit. Cast off evil desires and attain cool clarity. Attain cool clarity, and the radiance will be pure and bright; then go to the Cinnabar Terrace to admire the bright moon. The moon conceals the Jade Rabbit, the sun conceals the Crow; of themselves the Tortoise and Snake coil and bind together. Coiled and bound together, nature and life become firm; then one can plant the Golden Lotus within fire. Gather together the Five Elements and use them in inverted fashion; when the work is complete, one may become a Buddha or an immortal. Having now revealed the root and source, Wukong’s spiritual understanding was blessed with good fortune. He memorized the oral formula thoroughly. He bowed to the Patriarch and thanked him for his profound kindness, then went out through the rear gate and looked around. He saw the eastern sky just beginning to pale, while the western road gleamed with bright golden light. Following the old path, he returned to the front gate, quietly pushed it open, entered, and sat in his former sleeping place. Then he deliberately shook the bedclothes until they made a noise and called, “Daylight has come! Daylight has come! Rise, rise!” The others were still asleep, unaware that Wukong had already obtained a great boon. From that day onward, he mixed with the others as before while secretly maintaining his practice, regulating his breath before the hour of the Rat and after noon. Three years passed in this way. The Patriarch again ascended his precious seat and expounded the Dharma to the assembly. He discussed public cases and illustrative comparisons, and spoke of external appearances and their outer coverings. Suddenly he asked, “Where is Wukong?” Wukong came forward and knelt. “This disciple is here.” The Patriarch said, “What sort of Dao have you been cultivating all this time?” Wukong said, “Recently this disciple’s Dharma-nature has become quite penetrating, and the root source has gradually grown firm as well.” The Patriarch said, “Since you understand the Dharma-nature and comprehend the root source, your spirit has already been infused into the body. Yet you must guard against the dangers of the Three Calamities.” Hearing this, Wukong pondered for a long time and said, “Master’s words are mistaken. I have heard that when the Dao is lofty and virtue abundant, one’s lifespan equals Heaven’s; when Water and Fire are harmonized, no illness arises. How, then, can there be something called the ‘Three Calamities’?” The Patriarch said, “This is an extraordinary Dao: it wrests the creation of Heaven and Earth and invades the mysteries of the sun and moon. After the Elixir is perfected, ghosts and spirits can scarcely tolerate you. Though it preserves your appearance and increases your lifespan, after five hundred years Heaven will send a thunder calamity to strike you. You must see your nature and illuminate your mind, preparing in advance to evade it. If you evade it, your lifespan will equal Heaven’s; if you fail, your life will end then and there. “After another five hundred years, Heaven will send a fire calamity to burn you. This fire is neither heavenly fire nor ordinary fire; it is called ‘Yin Fire.’ It will rise from beneath the Bubbling Spring acupoint of your own body, pass directly through the Muddy Pellet Palace, reduce the five viscera to ash, and cause the four limbs to decay, turning a thousand years of bitter cultivation into a complete illusion. “After another five hundred years, a wind calamity will descend to blow upon you. This wind is not the wind of the southeast, northwest, or any other direction; it is not the gentle fragrant wind, the golden wind, or the northern wind; nor is it the wind that passes through flowers, willows, pines, and bamboo. It is called ‘Bì Wind.’ It will enter through the fontanel, blow through the six bowels, pass the Cinnabar Field, and pierce the nine orifices. The flesh and bones will disperse, and the body will dissolve of itself. Therefore all must evade them.” Hearing this, Wukong felt his hair stand on end. He knocked his head upon the ground and bowed, saying, “I beg the Venerable Master to take pity and transmit to me a method for evading the Three Calamities. In the end, I would never dare forget your kindness.” The Patriarch said, “This is not difficult either, but you are different from other people, and so it cannot be transmitted to you.” Wukong said, “My head is round and crowns Heaven, my feet are square and tread Earth. I likewise possess nine orifices and four limbs, five viscera and six bowels. In what way am I different from a human being?” The Patriarch said, “Although you resemble a human, you have fewer cheeks than a human.” The monkey had a protruding, angular face, a sunken visage, and a pointed mouth. Wukong reached out and touched himself, then laughed. “Master, you have miscalculated. Although I have fewer cheeks, I have this plain pouch more than humans do; surely that can make up the difference.” The Patriarch said, “Very well. Which kind do you wish to learn? One corresponds to the number of the Heavenly Spirits and comprises thirty-six transformations; another corresponds to the number of the Earthly Fiends and comprises seventy-two transformations.” Wukong said, “This disciple would rather fish for more from the depths. Let me learn the seventy-two Earthly Fiend transformations.” The Patriarch said, “Since that is so, come forward, and I shall transmit the formula to you.” He then whispered into Wukong’s ear, and no one knew what wondrous method he spoke of. The Monkey King was one who, once one aperture opened, had a hundred apertures open. He learned the formula at once, cultivated and refined it by himself, and mastered all seventy-two transformations. One day, the Patriarch and all the disciples were playing before the Cave of the Three Stars, enjoying the evening scene. The Patriarch said, “Wukong, have you completed your work?” Wukong said, “Thanks to the boundless grace of Master, this disciple’s accomplishment is complete. I am already able to rise into the clouds and fly.” The Patriarch said, “Try flying for me to see.” Wukong displayed his ability. He gave his body a shrug, performed a chain of somersaults, and leaped five or six zhang from the ground. He rode the clouds and rosy vapors for about the time it takes to eat a meal, then returned, having gone less than three li, and landed before the Patriarch. He clasped his hands and said, “Master, this is rising into the air and riding the clouds.” The Patriarch laughed and said, “That does not count as riding the clouds; it counts only as crawling on the clouds. Since ancient times it has been said: ‘Immortals journey to the North Sea at dawn and to Cangwu at dusk.’ In half a day you cannot travel even three li. That does not even count as crawling on the clouds.” Wukong said, “What does ‘journey to the North Sea at dawn and to Cangwu at dusk’ mean?” The Patriarch said, “Those who truly ride the clouds rise from the North Sea at dawn, travel across the Eastern Sea, Western Sea, and Southern Sea, and then return to Cangwu. Cangwu is an expression referring to Lingling of the North Sea. They must journey throughout the regions beyond the Four Seas in a single day; only then can it be called riding the clouds.” Wukong said, “That is difficult, truly difficult.” The Patriarch said, “There is no difficult matter in the world, so long as one fears only that the person lacks determination.” Hearing this, Wukong bowed and said, “Master, when one does something, one must carry it through. I beg you to extend your great compassion and transmit this method of riding the clouds to me as well. I certainly will not dare forget your kindness.” The Patriarch said, “All immortals who ride the clouds rise by stamping their feet, but you are not like that. I saw you leave just now, and you had to perform a chain of movements before you could leap up. I shall make use of your present momentum and transmit to you the Somersault Cloud.” Wukong again bowed and earnestly begged him. The Patriarch then transmitted another oral formula: “For this cloud, form the signs with your fingers, recite the true words, clench your fists, shake your body, and leap up. With one somersault, you will travel one hundred and eight thousand li.” Hearing this, the assembly laughed merrily one after another. “Wukong is truly fortunate! If he learns this method, he can work for others as a courier, deliver documents, or carry reports. Wherever he goes, he will find food to eat.” At dusk, the masters and disciples each returned to their caves. That very night Wukong circulated his spirit and refined the method, and mastered the Somersault Cloud. From day to day he was free from all restraint, at ease and carefree. This, too, was the joy of long life. One day spring returned and summer arrived. The assembly had gathered beneath a pine tree and had been discussing the teachings for quite some time. They said, “Wukong, in which former life did you cultivate such karmic affinity? The other day the Teacher whispered to you and transmitted the method for evading the Three Calamities and the transformations. Have you mastered them all?” Wukong laughed. “I will not conceal it from my elder brothers. First, the Master transmitted them to me; second, I have also been diligent day and night. I have mastered all those methods.” The assembly said, “Take advantage of this fine moment and perform them for us to see.” Hearing this, Wukong gathered his spirit, displayed his skill, and said, “Senior brothers, give me a subject. What shall I transform into?” The assembly said, “Just transform into a pine tree.” Wukong formed the signs with his fingers, recited the spell, and with a shake of his body transformed into a pine tree. Truly: Lush and verdant, it contains mist through all four seasons; rising straight into the clouds, it displays its noble beauty. Not the slightest trace of a demon monkey remains; all are branches that endure frost and withstand snow. The assembly applauded and laughed heartily. “Good monkey! Good monkey!” Their shouting and commotion unconsciously alarmed the Patriarch. The Patriarch hurriedly pulled his staff from the gate and came out asking, “Who is making such a disturbance here?” Hearing him call, the assembly hurriedly composed themselves, straightened their robes, and came forward. Wukong also resumed his original form and mingled among the group, saying, “I report to the Venerable Teacher: we were merely gathering here to discuss the teachings. There are no outsiders making a disturbance.” The Patriarch angrily shouted, “You are all shouting loudly and softly, entirely unlike practitioners! When a practitioner opens his mouth, his spirit and qi scatter; when his tongue moves, disputes arise. How can you be shouting and laughing here?” The assembly said, “We dare not conceal it from Master. Just now Sun Wukong was performing transformations for amusement. We told him to transform into a pine tree, and he truly became a pine tree. All of us praised and applauded him, and so our loud voices disturbed Your Reverence. We beg your forgiveness.” The Patriarch said, “All of you, leave.” Then he called, “Wukong, come here! I ask you: what skill were you displaying, and why did you transform into a pine tree? Is this an ability to show off before people? Suppose you saw that someone else possessed such a skill—would you not ask him for it? If others saw that you possessed it, they would certainly ask you for it. If you feared disaster, you would have to transmit it to them; if you did not transmit it, they would surely harm you. Your life would then no longer be secure.” Wukong knocked his head upon the ground. “I only beg Master to forgive my offense.” The Patriarch said, “I do not blame you. I merely tell you to leave.” Hearing this, tears filled Wukong’s eyes. “Master, where are you ordering me to go?” The Patriarch said, “You came from wherever you came from; simply return there.” Wukong suddenly understood. “I came from the Water-Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit in the Aolai Kingdom of the Eastern Continent of Superior Spirit.” The Patriarch said, “Return quickly, and preserve your life. If you remain here, it will certainly be impossible.” Wukong accepted his offense and said to the Venerable Teacher, “I have been away from home for twenty years. Although I long to look upon my former children and grandchildren, I have not repaid Master’s profound kindness, and so I dare not leave.” The Patriarch said, “What kindness or obligation is there? So long as you do not cause trouble or implicate me, that is enough.” Seeing that there was no alternative, Wukong could only bid farewell and part from the assembly. The Patriarch said, “Wherever you go, you are certain to cause trouble. No matter what calamities you stir up or what violence you commit, you are not permitted to say that you are my disciple. If you utter even half a word of it, I will know. I will skin you, cut your bones apart, and banish your spirit to the Ninefold Obscurities, so that for ten thousand kalpas you will never rise again!” Wukong said, “I absolutely dare not mention a single word about Master. I will merely say that I learned it myself.” Wukong thanked him, then withdrew. Forming the signs with his fingers, he performed a chain of movements, leaped upon the Somersault Cloud, and headed straight back to the Eastern Continent. Before an hour had passed, he could already see the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit and the Water-Curtain Cave. Knowing that joy awaited him, the Handsome Monkey King secretly called himself: When I left, my mortal bones and mortal body were heavy; having attained the Dao, my body became light, and my frame became light as well. In all the world, no one was willing to establish a resolve; once the resolve is established, cultivation of the mystery makes the mystery clear of itself. Then, crossing the sea, the waves were difficult to penetrate; today, returning, the journey is exceedingly easy. The farewell words and instructions still remain in my ears; who would have expected, in an instant, to see the Eastern Sea? Wukong lowered the cloud head and went directly to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, searching for a path. Suddenly he heard cranes calling and apes crying: The cranes’ cries rose beyond the Milky Way; the apes’ cries were mournful and deeply heartbreaking. He immediately called out, “Children, I have returned!” Beneath the cliff, beside the stone steps, amid the flowers and grasses, and within the trees, monkeys large and small sprang out by the tens of thousands. They surrounded the Handsome Monkey King, knocked their heads upon the ground, and cried, “Great King, you have been so carefree! Why did you leave for so long, abandoning all of us here? We have longed for you as though famished and parched. Recently a demon has been bullying us here, forcibly seeking to occupy our Water-Curtain Cave. We risked our lives and fought him. During this time that fellow seized our household possessions and captured many of our sons and nephews, leaving us sleepless day and night as we guarded our home. Fortunately, Great King has returned. Had you not come for another year, even our mountain cave would have belonged entirely to someone else.” Hearing this, Wukong was furious. “What sort of demon dares be so wanton? Tell me every detail, and I will seek him out and avenge you.” The monkeys knocked their heads upon the ground. “We report to the Great King: that fellow calls himself the Demon King of the Confused World, and lives directly to the north.” Wukong said, “How far is it from here to his place?” The monkeys said, “When he comes, he rides clouds; when he leaves, he travels on mist. Sometimes there is wind, sometimes rain, sometimes lightning, sometimes thunder. We do not know how far he goes.” Wukong said, “Since that is so, do not be afraid. Go on amusing yourselves here while I seek him out.” The good Monkey King leaped into the air and went northward by successive somersaults. He soon saw a lofty mountain, truly extremely dangerous and precipitous. What a mountain: Its peak stood like a writing brush, its winding ravines were deep and still. The brushlike peak rose straight through the empty sky; the winding ravines plunged deep and reached the earth’s gates. Flowers and trees on the two cliffs competed in strangeness; in several places pines and bamboos vied in emerald color. On the left was a dragon, thoroughly tame and docile; on the right was a tiger, perfectly crouched and submissive. One often saw iron oxen plowing; there were always golden coins being planted. Secluded birds sang sweetly; vermilion phoenixes stood facing the sun. The stones were jagged, the waves pure and still; strange, twisted, truly ferocious and terrifying. The world contains countless famous mountains; flowers bloom and fade, yet their profusion remains abundant. How could any scene compare with this, enduring forever? The eight seasonal divisions and four seasons remained utterly unmoved. It was truly the Mountain of the Source of the Abyss within the Three Realms, nourishing the Water-Vitality Cave of the Five Elements. The Handsome Monkey King was silently observing the scenery when he heard someone speaking and went straight down the mountain to investigate. It turned out that before the steep cliff lay the Water-Vitality Cave. Several little demons were dancing outside the cave gate. When they saw Wukong, they turned to leave. Wukong said, “Do not run! I borrow the words in your mouths to convey the matter in my heart. I am the master of the Water-Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit in the far south. Whatever Confused-World bird-demon you have at home has repeatedly bullied my children and grandchildren. I have come especially to seek him out and determine who is superior.” Hearing this, the little demon hurried into the cave and reported, “Great King, disaster has struck!” The Demon King said, “What disaster?” The little demon said, “Outside the cave is a monkey who calls himself the master of the Water-Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. He says that you have repeatedly bullied his children and grandchildren, and has come especially to seek you out and determine who is superior.” The Demon King laughed. “I have often heard those monkey spirits say that they had a Great King who left home to cultivate. I suppose he has come this time. How is he dressed? What weapons does he carry?” The little demon said, “He has no weapons of any kind. His head is bare, he wears a red robe, a yellow sash is tied around his waist, and he has a pair of black boots on his feet. He is neither monk nor layman, and does not resemble a Daoist or an immortal. He is empty-handed and calling outside the gate.” Hearing this, the Demon King said, “Bring me my armor and weapon.” The little demon immediately brought them out. The Demon King put on his armor and helmet, took a saber in his hand, and came out of the gate with all the demons. He shouted loudly, “Which one is the master of the Water-Curtain Cave?” Wukong hurriedly opened his eyes wide and looked. He saw that the Demon King: Wore a black-gold helmet that gleamed in the sunlight; a black gauze robe hung from his body and billowed in the wind. Beneath it he wore black iron armor, tightly bound with leather straps; his feet were in flower-patterned boots, and he was as mighty as a senior general. His waist measured ten circumferences; his body stood three zhang tall. In his hand he held a saber whose sharp edge shone brilliantly. He was called the Demon King of the Confused World, with a bold and ferocious appearance. The Monkey King shouted, “You reckless demon, your eyes are so large, yet you cannot see your old ancestor!” Seeing him, the Demon King laughed. “Your body is less than four chi tall, and you are not yet thirty years of age. You have no weapon in your hand. How dare you act so wildly and come seeking me to determine who is superior?” Wukong cursed him. “You reckless demon, it seems you are blind. You think me small? If I wished to become large, that would not be difficult. You think I have no weapon? My two hands can hook the moon at the edge of Heaven. Do not be afraid; just take one punch from your old ancestor.” He gave a leap, sprang forward, and struck the Demon King squarely in the face. The Demon King raised his hand and blocked the blow. “You are so short and stunted, while I am so tall and long. You wish to use your fists, while I wish to use my saber. If I use the saber, I will kill you, and people would laugh at me. Let me set the saber down and exchange fists with you.” Wukong said, “That is well said. A fine fellow—come on.” The Demon King tossed aside his weapon and attacked. Wukong darted in, meeting and colliding with him. The two struck with fists and kicked with feet, charging and crashing into each other. Long fists were broad and empty, while short strikes were compact and solid. Wukong struck the Demon King in his short ribs and collided with his groin. After several blows, he injured him heavily. The Demon King slipped aside, seized the broad steel saber, and hacked at Wukong’s head. Wukong hurriedly withdrew, and the blow struck only empty air. Seeing the Demon King’s ferocity, Wukong employed the Body-Outside-the-Body method. He plucked a handful of hairs, put them into his mouth, chewed them to pieces, and spat them into the air, crying, “Transform!” They immediately became two or three hundred little monkeys, crowding around him. Once a human attains an immortal body, he may manifest spirit and transform without limit. Since this Monkey King had attained the Dao, the eighty-four thousand hairs upon his body could each transform, responding to things as his mind desired. The little monkeys had nimble eyes and could leap skillfully; when the saber came down, it could not strike them, and when the spear thrust out, it could not injure them. You could see them leaping forward and backward, boring in and surrounding the Demon King. Some embraced him, some pulled him, some burrowed beneath his legs, some seized his feet. They kicked and struck him, plucked out his hair, gouged his eyes, twisted his nose, beat his drums, and made a complete jumble of him. Only then did Wukong seize the Demon King’s saber. He scattered the little monkeys, raised the saber, and struck once upon the crown of the Demon King’s head, cleaving him into two pieces. He led the host into the cave and wiped out all the demons, large and small. Then he shook his hairs and drew them back into his body. He saw, however, that those hairs which could not return to him were the little monkeys whom the Demon King had captured from the Water-Curtain Cave. Wukong said, “How did you come to be here?” There were about thirty or fifty of them. All with tears in their eyes, they said, “After the Great King left to seek immortality, he quarreled with us over these past two years and carried us all away. Are those not our household possessions from the cave? The stone basins and stone bowls were all taken here by this fellow.” Wukong said, “Since they are our household possessions, carry them all outside.” He immediately set fire to the cave, burning the Water-Vitality Cave until it was utterly dried and ruined, and returned everything to one whole. He said to the assembled monkeys, “All of you, follow me home.” The monkeys said, “Great King, when we came here, we heard only the wind rushing beside our ears and floated through the air to this place. We do not recognize the path. How can we return home now?” Wukong said, “This was merely one of his tricks. What difficulty is there? Now that one aperture of mine is open, a hundred apertures are open; I too know how to perform it. All of you close your eyes and do not be afraid.” The good Monkey King recited a spell, summoned a fierce wind, and descended from the clouds. He called, “Children, open your eyes.” The monkeys’ feet touched solid ground. They recognized their homeland, and every one of them rejoiced, running toward the old path to the cave gate. The monkeys who had remained in the cave all crowded around them and entered together. They arranged themselves by rank and age, and bowed to the Monkey King. They prepared wine and fruit, welcomed him with a feast, and celebrated his return. They asked him about subduing the demon and rescuing the children. Wukong recounted the whole matter in detail. The monkeys praised him endlessly, saying, “Great King, who would have imagined that after going there you would learn such skills?” Wukong then said, “When I parted from you all in those days, I drifted with the currents and crossed the great Eastern Ocean to the borders of the Western Continent of Ox-Hè. I went directly to the Southern Continent of Jambudvīpa, learned to take on a human appearance, put on these clothes, wore these shoes, and wandered about in a leisurely fashion. I traveled through the world for more than eight or nine years, yet never found the Dao. I crossed the great Western Ocean again and reached the borders of the Western Continent of Ox-Hè. After searching for a long time, I was fortunate enough to encounter an old patriarch, who transmitted to me the true fruit of an achievement that shares longevity with Heaven, and the great Dharma-door of deathlessness and long life.” The monkeys congratulated him, all saying, “Such a thing is difficult to encounter in ten thousand kalpas!” Wukong laughed again. “Little ones, you should also rejoice that everyone in my school has a surname.” The monkeys said, “What is the Great King’s surname?” Wukong said, “My surname is now Sun, and my Dharma-name is Wukong.” Hearing this, the monkeys clapped their hands and joyfully said, “The Great King is Elder Sun; we shall all be Second Sun, Third Sun, Little Sun, Young Sun … one family of Suns, one kingdom of Suns, one nest of Suns!” They all came to flatter Elder Sun, bringing large basins and small bowls of coconut wine, grape wine, immortal flowers, and immortal fruits. Truly, the entire family rejoiced. Ah! Through one surname, the body returns to its source; only promotion to the register of immortals remains to be awaited. In the end, how the matter would turn out, and how everything would begin and end in this realm, is not yet known. Let the explanation continue in the next chapter. Chapter One The Spiritual Root Gives Birth, Revealing the Origin; Cultivation of Nature and Mind Brings Forth the Great Dao.